Schematic structure of a thermoplastic

Often some additives or fillers are added to the thermoplastic to improve specific properties such as thermal or chemical stability, UV resistance, etc. 

Composites are obtained by using short, long or continuous fibres. 

Thermoplastic consumption is roughly 80% or more of the total plastic consumption. Alloys of compatible thermoplastics allow applications to benefit from the attractive properties of each polymer while masking their defects. 

Some thermoplastics are crosslinkable and are used industrially in their two forms, thermoplastic and thermoset for example, the polyethylenes or the vinylacetate-ethylene copolymers (VAE) (the links created between the chains limit their mobility and possibilities of relative displacement). 

During a fire, fusibility favours dripping and annihilates final residual physical cohesion. There are few materials workable in the liquid state. 

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